Thomann 33AS 3/4 Europe Double Bass

I bought this bass to replace a Gewa double bass that I had on loan. I have played bass for 6 years and am probably an intermediate student level. I usually play classical with some occasional upright bass (via pickups) for concert band.

It arrived in the week I had requested, and comes without the bridge fitted. It is not particularly difficult to place the bridge (once the strings were loosened) because there is a mark on the body, plus a link to a video to demonstrate how to do it.

I fitted the bridge and tightened the strings round-robin fashion. The G string kept slipping off the bridge so I have to use a slim file to make the groove on the bridge a tiny bit deepe, just for that string.

The sound is pretty good - for the price (£1250). It is quite resonant and has a fairly pleasant tone. The G string can be a bit metallic/ringy, but that could just the supplied strings. My bass teacher gave it a workout and said it is pretty solid.

I have found some notes on the low end (F, F#, B, C) can exhibit a bit of buzz/rattle when bowed hard (ff to fff). In the next year I will probably put the bass in for a professional set up and adjustment (new bridge, strings and height setup).

I plan to use it for the next 8 years. Perhaps when I retire from work I can buy a pro level bass (probably £3K and upwards). According to the Thomann site it is their best selling double bass, and for the price I paid I am happy with my purchase.

I am rather a beginner, with just a few years of double bass experience. I own plywood Strunal 50/4 double bass, which I wanted to leave at rehearsal space, so I was looking for something a bit better to use at home and during my lessons. This one surpassed the expectations with a solid build and excellent sound. Pizzicato it gives much more full sound than Strunal, and it really shines when played arco.

The bass was immediately playable as received and did not require any setup (of course, the bridge was taken off and had to be put in the place, which was clearly marked).

After a few weeks with the instrument I am able write a honest review.
The bass overall is and I'm happy with the purchase, although if you consider it, you should be aware of some issues. Here my detailed opinion on various aspects:

1.SOUND - it's GOOD! Loud, full, sustain is good - absolutely nothing to complain! (even with basic stock strings).

2. Craftsmanship/quality - overall it's nicely build, although there are some issues:
- wood selection: there are knots in wood, even on top. should not really happen to bass from a reputable manufacturer.
- fingerboard stain: the fingerboard is stained with some crappy black paint and it dyes fingers black (it's not wearing off even after a few weeks). I'd rather have fingerboard looking less black, than to have dirty fingers all the time.
- tuners, bridge, leg, tailpiece are fine, nothing to complain about.

3. Looks: overall looks nice, pictures are pretty accurate (maybe looks a bit darker on pictures). what is not nice - visible KNOTS mentioned before.

Bear in mind it's almost the cheapest carved bass one can get, so it would be foolish to expect 100% perfect instrument. What matters it that it plays well - and I like it!

Optischer Eindruck außen: Sehr gut
Schöne kräftige Maserung der Decke, Farbe etwas heller als im Bild (wie dunkler Waldhonig, gefällt mir persönlich sogar besser)
Kleiner Knoten in der Decke, sonst tadellos.

Innenraum alles ok, sicher keine höchste Qualität (Leimnasen, paar leichte Ungenaugkeiten)
Stimmstock sitzt in meinem Fall nicht richtig, etwas schief, und muss daher gerichtet werden. Ansonsten gut

Stachel für mich (1,86m) voll ausgezogen zu kurz, in vorbildlicher Stehposition befindet sich Obersattel auf Nasenhöhe :(

Klang: Dunkel, bassig, ordentlich Thumb
(gute, helle Stahlseiten [zB. Perpetuals/Spirocore] sind evtl. eine prima Ergänzung)
Muss sich natürlich erst einschwingen, noch etwas pappig im Klang, aber die Basis stimmt!

Saiten: Die schwarzen Finger bekommt man durch die Werkssaiten, nicht vom Griffbrett! Einfach Wisch und weg;)
Habe die Saiten im Wirbelkasten nochmal neu aufgezogen, jetzt sitzen sie wie sie sollen: gerade und parallel

Der Versand hat dann doch 12 Tage gedauert, aber dafür wurde der Bass nach meinen Vorgaben gut eingestellt und sehr ordentlich und sicher verpackt.

Insgesamt stimmiges, gutes Preis/Leistungsverhältnis

Nachtrag: Habe festgestellt das der Halsrücken den großen Nachteil hat dass er lackiert ist und eher rau . Der Daumen haftet beim Lagenwechsel quasi am Hals, selbst wenn man auf Armgewicht achtet. Lagenwechsel von (tonal) oben nach unten sind dann besonders frustrierend.

Ich wünschte Thomann würde die Halslackierung weglassen und eine samtklatte reine Holzoberfläche anbieten.